What You'll Learn
- Proper execution of pliés with emphasis on sweeping under the heel and hip engagement
- How to maintain consistent turnout during complex tendu combinations
- Postural alignment techniques focusing on core stability and keeping the shoulders down
- Precision in cou-de-pied placement and articulation of the foot through the floor
- Improving coordination and balance through varied speeds and optional port de bras
About This Video
At Broche Ballet, we believe that the secret to advanced mastery lies in the perfection of foundational movements. This 26-minute session, titled "Just Pliés & Tendus," is a dedicated warmup barre designed to strip away the complexity of center work and focus purely on the mechanics of the legs and feet. This class is an essential addition to any dancer's routine, focusing on the two most foundational movements in the ballet vocabulary.
The session begins with a series of pliés across multiple positions. The instructor emphasizes the importance of sweeping under the heel and pulling out toward the hip to maintain active turnout. By pressing firmly into the floor during the close of each plié, you will build the resistance needed for powerful jumps later in your practice.
We also address common postural habits, reminding students to keep the shoulders down and the core engaged, ensuring that the upper body remains calm and supported even as the lower body works intensely. Following the pliés, the class moves into focused tendu combinations. These exercises are designed to improve articulation and foot strength.
You will learn to brush the entire foot through the floor, maintaining contact until the very last moment of the point. The instructor provides detailed cues for cou-de-pied placement, ensuring the toes are held back and the heel is forward. We also explore variations in speed and coordination, challenging you to maintain your technique even as the tempo increases.
While port de bras (arm movements) are included, they are treated as optional to allow students to focus entirely on their leg alignment and turnout. This focused approach helps build the muscle memory required for more advanced choreography. Whether you are a beginner looking to understand the basics or a seasoned dancer returning to the fundamentals, this session offers the technical rigor necessary to excel.
